Albums that you listen to straight through / start to finish whenever you put them on!
So I have a few albums that whenever I play them I listen to the whole thing in sequence from beginning to end. Of course some albums are meant to be that way, they are called concept albums. However, my question is not just for the obvious concept albums per se but for any album you play start to finish because it is strong throughout. All genres are included here so no limits on music preferences.
I’ll start with a few that come to mind - The Moody Blues - The Days of Future Passed Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Alan Parsons Project- I Robot Miles Davis - In a Silent Way Weather Report - Black Market
Ian Dury- New Boots and Panties, Television -Marquee Moon, David Bowie- Scary Monsters and Young Americans, Dave Edmunds -Trax on Wax 4, Lou Reed- Rock n Roll Animal, Iggy Pop and James Williamson-Kill City, Little Feat- Waiting for Columbus, Ron Wood- Now Look, Jerry Garcia -Garcia (Compliments), Phil Manzanera- Diamond Head, Robbie Robertson Storyville,-The Band -Music From Big Pink, Bob Dylan -Time out of Mind, Link Wray- Link Wray- , The Clash-London Calling.Most of these I can listen to both or in Little Feats and The Clash's Case all 4 sides If you like Crowded House Id suggest if you haven’t already listened to Split Enz that Frenzy and Dizrythmia could be candidates for my list ps Cool idea dougsat
I forgot one I only own in vinyl. Edgar Winter Entrance First lossless noise free copy I've ever heard on Qobuz. Ahhh. Even sounds good through a S.M.S.L.
Here is a copy and paste of some of the responses (not all) so excuse me if I missed a few. Interesting and diverse selection of albums thanks everyone. If you’re late to the party on this feel free to jump on in. **************************************************************************** The Moody Blues - The Days of Future Passed Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Alan Parsons Project- I Robot Miles Davis - In a Silent Way Weather Report - Black Market Paul Simon - Graceland 25th anniversary reissue The Beatles.... Abby Road Eagles.... Hotel California The Cars.... The Cars AC/DC..... Back in Black Pink Floyd.... The Wall Chuck Mangione…. Feels so Good Henry Gross - Plug Me Into Something Led Zeppelin - l Tom Petty All Albums Derek and the Dominos The Beatles All Albums The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed and Sticking Fingers, Some Girls Jethro Tull - Aqualung Jimi Hendrix - Smash Hits Brian Protheroe-first 3 Chrysalis albums John McLaughlin-Electric Dreams, Adventures in Radioland, Tokyo Live Richie Cole-Bossa Nova Eyes Joni-Court And Spark ELP-Tarkus The Bearles-A Huge Melody (or my covers version) The Beatles - Abbey Road Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon The Who - Who’s Next Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Supertramp - Breakfast in America Steely Dan - Can’t Buy a Thrill Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run Stevie Wonder - Innervisions Boston - 1st Album Bob Dylan - Hard Rain Bob Dylan - Street Legal Aldous Harding - Designer Van Morrison - Wavelength Dire Straits - Communique Dire Straits - Dire Straits Chris Whitley - Living with the Law Willie DeVille - Sportin’ Life John Coltrane - "A Love Supreme" Ray Charles - "What’d I Say" Diana Krall - "Love Scenes" Paul Desmond - "Feeling Blue" Tom Waits - "The Heart of Saturday Night" Gerry Mulligan - "Night Lights" Quincy Jones - "Body Heat" De La Soul - "And The Anonymous Nobody" Enya -Watermark Patricia Barber- Cafe Blue Hope Sandovar- Most Any Simon and Garfunkel-Sounds of silence. War - All Day Music War - The World is a Ghetto Sade - Diamond Life Sade - Promise Gregory Porter - any album Pink Floyd : Wish you were here, Animals Jethro Tull: Aqualung Supertramp : Crime of the Century, Even in the Quietest Moments Springsteen : Greetings from Asbury Park Steely Dan-"Aja" Joni Mitchell-"Court and Spark" Bob Dylan-"Blood On The Tracks" Beatles-"Rubber Soul" Jethro Tull-"Thick as a Brick" Paul Simon-"Hearts and Bones" REM-"Greatest Hits" David Bowie-"Ziggy Stardust" Rolling Stones-"Through the Past, Darkly" Cat Stevens-"Tea for the Tillerman" JJ Cale - "Naturally" Bruce Cockburn - "Inner City Front" Lloyd Cole & Commotions: "Rattlesnakes" Crack The Sky - "Crack The Sky" Michael Franks - "The Art of Tea" Love - "Forever Changes" Pousette - Dart Band - "Pousette - Dart Band" Wishbone Ash - "Argus" Mary Travers - Mary Paul Simon - Graceland Tom Waits - "Mule Variations" Tom Waits - "Alice" Blue Oyster Cult - "Tyranny and Mutation" Maria McKee - "Peddling Dreams" Iris Dement - "Sing the Delta" Crowded House - "Temple of Low Men" The Band - "Music from Big Pink"
Fascinating... I guess I am a rare bird. But, of course, the bird is the word.
I listen to both sides of a record only the very first time and rarely afterwords. I get a sense of the vibe of the side and play one or the other depending on mood (and guests) forever afterword. When a side ends I assess the mood and, generally speaking, I am so inspired by that music I want to explore another record to push that envelope or completely change tack. Sometimes the mood does lead to flipping sides. Sometimes. I did that yesterday once.
Digital is a whole other story but does still includes listening to the full album the very first time. In fact, I now wish Roon had an option to display and play as album sides.
Blue Oyster Cult - "Tyranny and Mutation" Maria McKee - "Peddling Dreams" Iris Dement - "Sing the Delta" Crowded House - "Temple of Low Men" The Band - "Music from Big Pink"
1) Albums that you truly want to listen to all the way thru are rare.
2)But, it's a good idea to listen to the entire album because our tastes change over time. I know that I've rediscovered countless songs that I either forgot about or just didn't appreciate initially. However, I know I'll never change my mind about "Alabama Song" from the debut album by The Doors.
JJ Cale - "Naturally" Bruce Cockburn - "Inner City Front" Lloyd Cole & Commotions: "Rattlesnakes" Crack The Sky - "Crack The Sky" Michael Franks - "The Art of Tea" Love - "Forever Changes" Pousette - Dart Band - "Pousette - Dart Band" Wishbone Ash - "Argus"
Here's probably my number 1: Mary, the solo album by Mary Travers, 1970/71.
For me it has it all. Wonderful wonderful singer/voice, great selection of songs, fantastic sounds, engineered by Phil Ramone.
This has to be one of my top 5 LPs/CDs/Recordings of all time.
Of course "there is no accounting for taste".
I just love this record, only wish there were more like it, raises so many emotions in me when I play it, and of course it's a total joy for me to listen to.
The Beatles.... Abby Road Eagles.... Hotel California The Cars.... The Cars AC/DC..... Back in Black Pink Floyd.... The Wall Chuck Mangione…. Feels so Good
Henry Gross - Plug Me Into Something Led Zeppelin - l Tom Petty All Albums Derek and the Dominos The Beatles All Albums The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed and Sticking Fingers, Some Girls Jethro Tull - Aqualung Jimi Hendrix - Smash Hits the list could go on
I listen to all straight through unless some time restraint pops up. Otherwise, it's both sides, A and B. I like to approach an album as a piece of work that the artist intended me to hear in it's entirety.
I listen to vinyl LPs from start to finish upward of 90% of the time; otherwise it is one complete side or, rarely, the one outstanding track for which I purchased the album. CDs and streaming are relegated to listening while driving; skipping tracks is pretty much the norm there.
@gadios “I love the MOODY Blues and most Tull stuff but the recordings are so crappy.“
This is the complete opposite of my experience. Also, in a recent thread here on A’gon concerning recordings readers recommended as “demonstration” quality, The Moody Blues “Days of Future Passed” and Tull’s “Thick as a Brick” and “Aqualung” were prominently noted. “Aqualung” has been reissued on vinyl by MFSL, DCC, Classic Records, and, I believe, Acoustic Sounds. I find it hard to believe that such highly regarded labels would waste any time and effort, not to mention the money, to reissue crappy recordings.
Brian Protheroe-first 3 Chrysalis albums John McLaughlin-Electric Dreams, Adventures in Radioland, Tokyo Live Richie Cole-Bossa Nova Eyes Joni-Court And Spark ELP-Tarkus The Bearles-A Huge Melody (or my covers version) I came from reel to reel (fixed order) so I find random play usually more rewarding. Surprise me.
The Beatles - Abbey Road Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon The Who - Who’s Next Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Supertramp - Breakfast in America Steely Dan - Can’t Buy a Thrill Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run Stevie Wonder - Innervisions Boston - 1st Album
Bob Dylan - Hard Rain Bob Dylan - Street Legal Aldous Harding - Designer Van Morrison - Wavelength Dire Straits - Communique Dire Straits - Dire Straits Chris Whitley - Living with the Law Willie DeVille - Sportin' Life
I just listened to The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
John Coltrane - "A Love Supreme" Ray Charles - "What'd I Say" Diana Krall - "Love Scenes" Paul Desmond - "Feeling Blue" Tom Waits - "The Heart of Saturday Night" Gerry Mulligan - "Night Lights" Quincy Jones - "Body Heat" De La Soul - "And The Anonymous Nobody"
“Yet who here doesn’t have an iTunes, Spotify, Tidal etc. playlist?“
I have Tidal, and don’t have a playlist. I have saved some particular albums/collections so they are easy to find (Usually in my car for longer trips), but mostly use my saved artist section, and use it, and various artist albums, as I would an LP or CD. But, I will admit, that one of the reasons I have Tidal is to check out albums I don’t own, so yes, at times I won’t play them through, as I either decide to purchase the ‘hard copy’, or it isn’t to my expectations.
Some pop LPs (meaning not symphonies, oratorios, concerti &c) were produced for continuous listening, and sometimes playing them straight through is worth doing for its own sake. Those named above are good examples.
Yet who here doesn't have an iTunes, Spotify, Tidal etc. playlist? The medium is the message. We play LPs straight through because using the TT is a hassle. Which is why CD and why streaming and why remotes. A TT remote, if someone invented it, would cost more than the subject apparatus itself.
Anything by the stooges, dire straights, Pink Floyd, the rolling stones( older stuff, nothing newer than tattoo you). The clash, big star, the police. Just a few that come to mind.
All of them except sometimes I skip the demo tracks or other additions to remasters. I tend to like just the original form of the albums. Nowadays I can easily skip but other than some demos I never do.
I will leave the remote on the other side of the room when listening to resist skipping. I’ve found songs that, before removing the remote from my hand, I would have skipped over because of a slow start that I listen to more than the popular songs on the recording.
Great question.
As originally a digital/streaming/CD listener, I only buy albums that I'm going to listen to all the way through and are high quality recordings. Too many to list.
Beatles white Album ,+ Doors the Doors+ Steely Dan + CCR+ moody Blues + SRV+ Eric Clapton + former bands Led Zep+ Pink Floyd Larry Carlton + Simon and Garfunkel+ Bob Dylan+Miles Davis+Ottmar Lieberman+ Van Morrison+ in all honesty these are just a sample,there are are just so many great artists and albums,it just depends on the mood.
All of it more than 90% of the time. It’s rare that I don’t.
I just received a 5 CD set of George Szell’s Decca and Philips Recordings 1951-1969, Original Masters. I began and will listen to all 5 CD’s, all the way through. May not be all in one sitting, but won’t listen to anything else until I do.
I have tendency to do that. Yesterday I finished the Solti Decca Edition Volume 6. 18 LP’s, straight through over multiple days.
And there are many others I do the same. Now, after I have listened to a set complete, I may not listen to the whole set all the time, but would never listen to a partial symphony when I go back to the set again, and typically listen to more than just one in the set. I am partial to box sets, and am more than happy to explore and enjoy them in their entirety more than once.
Pink Floyd : Wish you were here, Animals Jethro Tull: Aqualung Supertramp : Crime of the Century, Even in the Quietest Moments Springsteen : Greetings from Asbury Park
For me there are a few. Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin!), is one where All the cut are terrific.
Two more that come to mind are Lve Cream Vol II and Beggars Banquet by the Stones. Time Out by Dave Brubeck is another as I think of albums where I actively enjoy every cut!
Very rare I don't listen to the whole album if vinyl. If streaming from computer, not so much. Then there is a lot of "That reminds me of this..." going on.
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